Too risqu? Oh no we’re not!

Pantomime faves The Krankies have hit back at claims their show is too blue.

The much-loved comedy duo who are appearing with Torchwood star John Barrowman in their fourth panto together at Glasgow’s SECC accused critics of being jealous.

Earlier this year, The Sunday Post exclusively revealed that a rival pantomime boss slammed last year’s material as unsuitable for families.

Pavilion manager Iain Gordon said his theatre had taken several school bookings from the SECC because teachers weren’t comfortable with John Barrowman’s material.

Speaking at the time, he said: “We’ve had a lot of feedback from schools and customers about how blue John Barrowman was and the number of gay references he made.

“I don’t blame The Krankies I think they’re just following Barrowman’s lead. There’s a time and a place for being risqu and blue, but panto is not that place.”

But The Krankies, who performed in The Pavilion panto for years until Janette was badly injured in a fall on stage nearly 10 years ago, have hit back at the criticism.

Ian Tough said: “It’s total rubbish. We’ve always worked double meanings and that’s always been typical of Glasgow humour. It’s not blue it’s innuendo. There needs to be something for the adults as well as the kids.”

Janette added: “It’s just jealousy because we did so well and the chemistry between the three of us works. Obviously certain people don’t want it to work. It’s not blue and there’s no swearing, but there has always been innuendo.

“People are paying good money, so everyone has to enjoy it. Certain things will go over the kids’ heads, but they’ll still be laughing from an earlier joke.

“Everyone knows John is gay and if he wants to reference that, what’s wrong with it? As long as we know the limits, which we do.”

Janette first performed in panto at the Pavilion in 1963 and later met Ian in the venue. But they haven’t played there since 2004, when Janette fell from a beanstalk on stage and fractured her skull.

Ian and Janette, both 66, have starred with John Barrowman at the SECC since 2010.

Glasgow has Scotland’s most fiercely-contested panto market, with several venues competing for an audience each year.